Tag Archive: Nicholas Kirkwood

Can you believe that The Outnet is only 5 years old? For me it seems to have been around for as long as its higher-end, exclusive big sister Net-a-Porter, and it really has come a long way since its days as just a clearance outlet. Yeah it has always been the place to go for a designer bargain but the past 18-months or so I have really found it a go-to site when shopping for any occasion, not only for discounted gear but also for its Iris & Ink in-house collection of luxury staples and its accessories are always so incredible, my last few designer handbags have come from The Outnet.

So to celebrate its 5th Birthday, The Outnet has teamed up with 17 amazing designers including Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Chloé and J.W.Anderson to produce a collection featuring their re-issued, best-loved pieces and I basically want everything!!!

A few weeks ago I got to check out the collection, basically imagined spending away my wedding fund, and styled up a few of my favourite pieces, which is hard when the line also includes Oscar de la Renta, Jason Wu, Nicholas Kirkwood and Haizhen Wang and starts at just £130.

If I had to pick a look from the collection that I would love to wear I think it would have to be the Haizhen Wang black leather jacket, the shape at the back is gorgeous, teamed with the romantic floral-print silk-jacquard Jason Wu dress, paired with those stunning Nicholas Kirkwood heels, and the bold red Oscar de la Renta necklace. I would love to throw in the McQueen clutch but that might just be a little too much!!!

Wearing: A black sleeveless Emporio Armani cocktail dress featuring a high neck, full skirt and belted waist from the Resort 2014 collection, styled with a Maje plaid shirt around her waist, and Nicholas Kirkwood heels

The black halter-style fit and flare Emporio Armani dress is nice, cute, and maybe a little boring for the magazine’s cover star, but by adding that on-trend plaid shirt tied around her waist it not only adds a punk edge to the dress but makes her standout and I love it.

I also love that Hailee matched her nails to her plaid shirt, which you can just about see here, and I really think that shirt really kicked started her whole look.

Finishing off her look was a gorgeous pair of Nicholas Kirkwood heels, that have black and white stripes on the back, smoky eyes, and loose curls.

I think she looks gorgeous and this look is so appropriate for a Teen Vogue party.

Not to worry though as I joined the masses and followed the amazing coverage via my Twitter feed and in Burberry’s case watching the live-stream, which I still can’t believe was filmed using the new iPhone. But I did fall in love with Burberry’s gorgeous coral pink shade, the petal confetti ending and seeing Sienna Miller squished next to Harry Styles from One Direction on the front row.

Tuesday, the final day of LFW, was a little busier with a couple of shows at the Somerset House and a trip over to the new Topshop venue in Regents Park. In the downtown I soaked in the brilliance of this season’s The Apartment, which is bigger and better than ever and has been a brilliant place to hang out between shows, catch up with friends, discover new brands to adore – from Dower & Hall and Birchbox, and generally be pampered by the professionals, and fed by the likes of Pizza Express and Green & Black’s.

Starting off Day 5 was a presentation by Nicholas Kirkwood and Samsung, the footwear designer has created some cool accessories for the new Samsung Note using his signature black and white chevron. More than a presentation, this was more like a conversation with the footwear designer, and we got to hear about his inspirations, why shoes, and also plans for the future – he would love to design his own Samsung mobile in the future.

I also got to try out the new Samsung Gear – a watch that can show you your emails, text messages, call someone, and can also take sneaky pictures.

Next up was my final show at Somerset House, Maria Grachvogel, who showcased her signature print swirled jumpsuits and floaty dresses in a watercolour palette of blue and pink, mixed in with the neutral tones of clay and putty. Oh and it was only when I was leaving that I realised that sitting on the front row was actress Emma Thompson and I didn’t even bother to take a picture.

I then hot-footed it over to Topshop’s new venue, thank you press bus for being such a life-saver this season, to see Brazilian designer Lucas Nascimento’s spring/summer 2014 collection inspired by Brigitte Bardot in Jean Luc Goddard’s ‘Le Mepris’ wearing just a bath towel.

Styled purposefully as being caught in a state of undressing the models wore their slip dresses with the straps falling of their shoulders, and there was a dress that looked like a bath towel wrapped around the body. For me the stand out pieces had to be the structural jackets, the yellow and orange colour palette as well as the tiered dresses.

There’s no denying the power of the Kardashian sisters, they have a clothing line, beauty range and their own fashion store, and so on, and regularly grace magazine covers around the world, but I have been saying for a while that I don’t think it is going to anything compared to what their younger Jenner sisters, Kendall and Kylie are going to achieve.

First step towards for world domination for Kendall starts here with this amazing, very high-end solo cover for Australian title, Miss Vogue. I know she has had covers before with her sister for Teen Vogue and Seventeen, but this cover shoot for Australian Vogue’s younger sister shot by Russell James just shows off her fashion potential and she looks incredible.

The cover is very cool, uber-fashionable, but still youthful and I love it – that Zimmermann flip side backless dress is gorgeous and it looks even more fabulous in the full length shot with Kendall working her angles and those Nicholas Kirkwood – seriously wow.

Still only 16, I think Kendall Jenner is going to have an amazing modelling career. Kim tweeted how proud she was of her little sister and commented on her endless legs saying “Kendall’s legs… I’m jealous!” and I certainly agree – this picture below is smoking.

So what do you think of Kendall’s editorial? Do you think she has what it takes to be the next supermodel?

Verdict: I can’t think of a better fit for Ashley Greene, Donna Karan really has helped her standout on the red carpet in her gorgeous designs, I know that she is the current face of DKNY but I feel this ongoing collaboration is more than just advertising there is a real synergy between the two and I am loving the outcome.

This dress could have been a little too flapper and old-fashioned for me if it wasn’t for the subtle pale pink colour and the exquisite beaded embroidery. I am also loving the her layered hair and those amazing gold strappy Nicholas Kirkwood heels – they are the perfect finish for this dress.

Verdict: This has to be the first time this season of X Factor that I have got so excited about what Kelly has worn and it is all because she is supporting one of my favourite British-based designers Corrie Nielsen. Don’t get me wrong I have loved the Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Stella McCartney numbers she has worn over the past few weeks, but come on do these brands really need primetime TV coverage? Nope, probably not, but a former Fashion Fringe winner who really does bring couture to London Fashion Week really does deserve to be in the spotlight.

I know that Corrie’s work speaks for itself but I really do hope that by Kelly wearing her blouse it gives her an extra lift that couldn’t happen to a nicer designer, who is so passionate about what she does, she really does deserve this moment.

Also a quick note has to go out to Kelly’s amazing styling team, who really have picked out a great outfit, and generally speaking I don’t think they’ve put together one bad look this season. I know that for some they will be saying this is a safe look for Kelly all in black – but I love the feminine chic vibe of this blouse teamed with the sweeping Elie Tahari skirt. Keep up the great work guys!!!